Feeler mechanism for looms



I. SNOW. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY ll, 192llfifi fifi o Patented Dec. 12, 1922,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I. SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1am

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F"? i3, Th saw ed lites n a rr i felt rill httfitii ISAAC SNDVJ, 0F LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR'TO DRAPER CORPORATION, OF HOPEDALE, IIIASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELEB MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed May 11,1921. Serial No. 468 664.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

lie it known that l, ISAAC Snow, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and vState of llllassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler lliechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings repre-.

senting like parts.

This invention relates to feel er mechanisms for looms, whereby when the filling reaches a predetermined degree of exhaustion, the train of mechanism is set in operation to eilect replenishment of filling.

Several types of teeler mechanisms have heretofore been devised, and among these is that which has now become generally known as the side swipe feeler mechanism. The present invention is more especially directed to the side swipe type of feeler mechanisms, and includes a feeler arm or carrier which is normally supported to extend rearwardly in a direction. inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle or lay movement, and a l eeler tip which is mounted for movement along the feeler arm or carrier in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the TlOIltWilICl pressure 01" the filling in the shuttle until substantial exhaustion thereof, and which, when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, fails to be moved along the teeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and means for ei'lecting replenishment of filling when the ieeler fails to be moved relative to the feeler carrier in a direction longitudinally of tie shuttle.

The new tteeler mechanism is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the teeler or detecting side or": the loom, showing only suiiicient portions of the loom to make clear the construction and mode of operation of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing more particularly the operation of the lceler mechanism when the shuttle contains a working supply of filling on a-detecting beat;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the action of the teeler mechanism when the filling is substantially exhausted on ad'etecting beat;

Fig. 4} is a section on the broken line el l of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 5 is a detached detail showing one good form of sliding connection between the feeler tip and feeler arm and some of the associated parts.

The loom frame 1 has mounted thereon the brackets 2, one at each sideot the loom for supporting the transverse or rock shaft '3 which 15 normally under the influence of a spring, not shown, for holding the parts inthe position indicated in Fig. 1. Rising from the rock shaft 3 is the arm 4 to which is pivoted at 5 the actuator 6, theti'ont end portion 7 of which is adapted to he engaged by an operating member 8 which may be conveniently formed as or part of the cam follower or weft hammer mechanism, as usual and well understood in this type of loom.

The lay 9 has the ShLllltl6-lIJOX 10, the front wall of which is slotted at 11 as usual for the entrance oi the ieeler. The shuttle 12 has its front wall 13 slotted for the entrance oithe feeler to feel "for the filling 14 on the filling carrier 15 which is mounted in the shuttle. These parts may be as usual in this general type or" loom.

The feeler arm on which the ieeler tip is mounted, in accordance with the present invention, is supported to extend rearwardly towards the lay in a direction inclined to thelongitudinal axis of the shuttlmhut with permissive movement trontwardlly under the frontward impulse of the surface within the shuttle on a detecting heat. This characteristic mounting for the feel'er arm may be variously contrived, but in the present instance-of the invention, the shipper stand 16 has pivoted thereto at 17 the feeler arm 1.8, so that the ieeler arm 18 extents rearwardly in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis oi the shuttle or lay movement,

The details of the pivotal connection of the feeler arm 18 with the shipperfstand 16 is best indicated in Fig. 4, which shows one good, practical means for effecting the desired mounting. As indicated in Fig. i, the ifeeler arm 18 is pivot-ally supported by the stud 19 which has a shouldered portion '20 extending through the shipper stand 16. The smaller upper end portion of the stud 19 is threaded as at 21 to receive the nut 22, between "which and the teeler arm 18 is interposed a suitable washer Coiled about the lower portion of the stud 19 is the spring 24, one end of which is connected to the teeler arm 18, and the other end of which rests or bears against the shipper stand 16 as at 26, the construction being such that the spring 24 normally tends to swing the feeler arm 18 'into its rearward inclined position, as indicated in Fig. 1, and in dotted lines, Fig. 2. A stop is provided to limit the rearward movement of the feeler arm 18. In the present instance .of the invention, the feeler arm 18 adjacent its pivotal support has a shouldered portion 27, Figs. 1, 2 and 3', .which, when the feeler arm is in its normal feeling position as indicated in Fig.1, and by dotted lines in Fig.2, rests against a pin or stop 28, the construction being such that While the spring 2 1 normally acts to yieldingly hold the feeler arm 18 in its rearwardly inclined feeling position, as defined by the stop, it permits frontward movement of the teeler arm, on a detecting beat of the lay, as will more fully appear.

The details of the pivotal support of the feeler arm, and the yielding means for normally holding it in its rearwardly inclined position,constitutes a convenient mechanism for the purposes stated, but it is to be unde'rsood that the invention'is not restricted thereto, but that any appropriate means may be employed which, will serve to support the feeler arm in its rearwardly inclined position with permissive movement towards and from the front of the loom.

Mounted upon the feeler arm 18 for sliding movement thereon in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, is the teeler tip 29. In the present instance of the invention, the feeler tip 29 has a sliding sleeve con- "nection with the feeler arm. This is best shown in Fig. 5, wherein the feeler tip 29 has the sleeve portion 30 which embraces the feeler arm 18 and maintains the feeler arm and feeler tip in operative relation, the construction being such that the feeler tip may be moved along the feeler arm in. the

general direction longitudinally of the shuttle or transversely of the loom.

The feeler tip is normally under the influence ofa spring for holding it in its feeling position on the feeler arm. ln the present instance, the feeler tip or preferably the sleeve 30thereof, has rising therefrom the bearing or lug 31 through which can tends one end of a rod 32. At either side of the hearing or lug 31 the rod 32 has threaded thereon the adjusting nuts 33, whereby the relation between the feeler tip and the rod 32 may be changed. asv circumstances dictate.

Rising fromthe feeler arm 18 is a lug 3a 1 ssess through. which the rod 32 extends, and mounted upon the rod 32 with one end hearing against the face of the lug 34, and the other against one of the nuts 33, is the spring 35, the construction being such that the spring 35 will normally movethe teeler tip towards the end of the feeler arm 18, but with permissive movement of the feeler tip along the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle. A suitable stop is employed for limiting the outward movement of the feeler tip 29 relative to the feeler arm, and in the present instance of the invention, such step comprises a pin 36 secured to the feeler arm near its free end portion.

The rod 32 is provided with an eye 37, to which is connected a transmitter 38 for controlling the operative or inoperative relation between the rear end portion 7 of the actuator and its operating means or member 8. In the present instance of the invention, the loom frame or breast beam has rising therefrom the stand 39,to which is pivotally mounted at 10 a bell-crank lever, one arm 41 of which underlies the actuator 6, and the other arm portionof which is connected at 42 to the transmitter 38. The bracket or support 39 is provided with a stop 43 by means of which the bell-crank is limited in its movement upon its pivotal support 410 in one direction. The connection between the transmitter 38 and the bell-crank is preferably formed by a ball and socket joint, or othersuliiciently loose connection to permit sufficient lost motion between the end of the transmitter 38 and its connection with the bell-crank to accommodate the swinging movement of the feeler arm 18, when the latter is movedfrontwardly from its pivotal support on a detecting beat with filling substantially exhausted. The construction is such thatjthe end 7 of the actuator 63, in the present instance of the invention, is normally in the path of movement of the operating member 8, and if it be not moved from such position on a detecting beat,

fillingreplenishment will be effected, a con dition which results when the filling is substantially exhausted from the shuttle on a detecting beat.

The rear end portion of the teeler 29 is provided with a series of teeth' l l which are preferably arranged in a curved series or'circular are, as indicated in Fig. 2, and which are of a character to sink into the filling when a. working supply is present in I the shuttle ion a detecting heat.

When the lay is in its back position, the

feeler arm 18 and the feeler 29 assume their feeling position, as indicated by full lines in Fig. 1, and dotted lines in Fig. 2. that is, the feeler arm 18 extends rearw'ardly in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle, and the filling engaging teeth 44. of the feeler tip are positioned to enter and engage the filling as the lay moves frontwardly on a detecting bea lVhen there is a working supply of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the teeth lel of the feeler tip 29 will engage and sink into the filling, and as the lay moves frontwardly, the lieele-r arm 18 will be moved about its pivotal support 19 or swung from its dotted to its full line position, as indicated in Fig. 2. Since the filling l-l on the filling carrier is engaged by the teeth 4% of the feeler tip, the latter, that is, the teeth of the feeler tip, are prevented from moving along the surface of the filling, so that as the lay moves frontwardly under such conditions, the feeler tip is movedalong the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shut tle, and against the action of the spring Under such conditions the bell-crank pivoted at to will be turned contra-clockwise, Fig. l, and lift the end 7 01" the actuator out of the path of the operating member. When, however, filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, as indicated in Fig. 3, the teeth 4% of the feeler tip will no longer be able to hold the feeler tip from movement longitudinally along the filling carrier, and the parts will assume the position as indicated in Fig. 3, wherein it will be noted that the teeler tip has not been substantially move-d relatively to the teeler arm 18 from its initial position relative to the feeler arm as the lays heats up. Under these conditions the end of the actuator 6 will remain in the path of the operating member 8 as the latter moves i rontwardly, and filling replenishment will be effected.

From the construction described, the details of which form one good practical. -form or embodiment of the invention, it will be noted that when a working supply, of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the feeler tip will be moved relative to the feeler arm in a direction longitudih nally of the shuttle, and filling will not be replenished, but when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the relation between the feeler arm and feeler tip remains unchanged on a detecting; beat, and filling replenishment is effected.

lVliat is claimed is 1. In a teeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a iteeler arm that is supported at the front of the loom and nor"- mally extends rearwardly in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shut-- tie, a feeler tip which is mounted for sliding movement along the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward pressure on the tip, and means for replenishing the fillingconnected to and controlled by the feeler tip.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier which is pivotally mounted on the loom frame and has a movement towards and from the front of: the loom, teeler having a filling engaging end and mounted on the feeler carrier for bodily sliding movement on the feeler carrier in a direction transversely of the loom by the frontward pressure of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat, and means controlled by the :teeler for effecting replenishment of filling.

3. In a leeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a :leeler arm supported at the front of the loom and extending rearwardly in a direction inclined to the lay movement when the teeler arm is in rearward feeling position, a teeler tip having filling engaging teeth. and which is mounted for sliding movement along the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, and means for causing replenishment of filling when the teeler tip fails to be moved along the 'feeler arm on a detecting beat.

a. In a teeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler arm that is mounted at th front of the loom and extends rearwardly in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle, a feeler tip mounted for sliding movement on the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle as the feeler arm moves trontwardly on a detecting beat, a spring normally acting to yieldingly obstruct the movement of the tip along the arm, and means for replenishing filling when the tip fails to be moved along the feeler arm on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler arm, means normally acting to yieldingly hold the feelerarm extending rearwardly in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle, a feeler tip that is mounted for sliding movement along the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and having teeth which engage the filling in the shuttle and effect such sliding movement of the feeler tip on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the :teeler tip fails to be moved along the feeler arm on a detecting beat.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler arm that is pivotally supported, a :teeler tip mounted on the t'eeler arm for bodily movement longitudinally along the arm in a direct-ion transversely of the loom by the frontward pressure upon it on a detecting beat. and means connected to the feeler tip for effecting replenishment of filling when that in the shuttle has become substantially exhausted.

7. In a teeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler arm that is pivotally supported at the front of the loom and normally extends rearwardly towards the lay in a direction inclined to the lay movement, at fee-leitip that is mounted to slide along the feelerarin in a direction longitudinally of the'shnttle as the feeler arm swings about its pivot on a detecting beat, and means connected to the feeler'tip for effect ing replenishment of filling When the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

8. In a feeler, mechanism for looms the combination of a feeler arm, a feeler tip wh ch receives the frontward pressure of a surface withln the shuttle on each detecting beat and is mountedto slide on the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and meansv for effect ng replenishment. of filling when on a detecting heat the feeler tip fails to slide on the feeler arm in a direction longitudiname to this specification.

v ISAAC SNOW, 

